Baldock travelled to Harpenden III on Saturday in search of an elusive victory to kick-start their season. What they got was a high scoring run feast on a road of a wicket that ended in a winning draw for Baldock. In warm conditions Harpenden strangely pu

Baldock travelled to Harpenden III on Saturday in search of an elusive victory to kick-start their season.

What they got was a high scoring run feast on a road of a wicket that ended in a winning draw for Baldock.

In warm conditions Harpenden strangely put Baldock in to bat and almost immediately were made to pay as the Peacock brothers, James and Robert, batted fluently to put on 90 for the first wicket in no time at all.

The loss of Robert Peacock for a well paced 33 only saw the run rate rise further as James Peacock and Ranjit Rayat ran the hosts ragged as the total assumed threatening proportions.

Harpenden, however, did nip out two quick wickets but what followed was effectively the end of their chances in the game as James Peacock eased to his second century of the season

Meanwhile, Giles Naylor was destroying the change bowling with four huge sixes in his first four scoring shots!

The pair added a rapid 70 for the fourth wicket until Peacock was finally out for an effortless 135 off 122 balls.

Naylor then carried on before being caught for a brutal 61 off 44 balls and Baldock finally declared their innings at a huge 285-6 off 52 overs.

As expected Harpenden took the attack to Baldock with Gilson being particularly aggressive as opening bowler Jones found out to his cost.

However Logan Newman was the model of consistency at the other end, bowling four consecutive maidens to keep the run rate in check.

The hosts, despite this, reached 90 very quickly until Tim Dean had Gilson caught for 33.

The next pair batted well again with Smith playing some lovely shots but when both these batsmen were dismissed by the excellent Dean the chase was probably up for the hosts.

Dean showed all his experience as he cut a swathe through the middle order and when Newman returned he suddenly took two quick wickets to give Baldock a chance of an unlikely victory.

However, with nine wickets down Harpenden just hung on for the draw at 217-9 off 48 overs.

Dean was superb and returned figures of 6-61 from 20 overs while Newman took 2-42 in a fine spell.

The draw yielded 19 points for Baldock and leaves them confident when they play host to Hatch End next week.

Despite an outstanding batting performance from Letchworth IV, Baldock II bravely clung on for a draw at Avenue Park.

Winning the toss, Baldock decided to field, hoping to see some benefit from the early morning shower that had slightly dampened the wicket.

Unfortunately, it soon transpired that the track was superb, and Letchworth were able to capitalise on some spells of fairly mediocre bowling from Baldock.

This was also helped by the renewed strength of the Letchworth side, bolstered by the return of university and sixth-form students from their summer exams.

Baldock toiled away and only managed to dismiss five of the Letchworth batsmen.

Chris Lewis was the pick of the bowlers, 3-66, as Letchworth raced to 284-5 off 52.1 overs.

Robinson was the pick of the Letchworth batsmen, scoring an outstanding 100 not out, ably supported by Dear with 77 and Heath with 42.

Baldock's reply could not have got off to a worse start. They were bamboozled by the top-spinner of Bridge (5-71) and collapsed to 36-5.

Fortunately, Baldock put up a brave defence, and battled their way to 172-8 off 47 overs to draw the game.

They were mightily relieved that Letchworth had decided to bat for their full 53 overs, and effectively bat Baldock out of the game.

The pick of the home batsmen were John Bracken (23 not out) and skipper Phil Lucy whose 36 not out ensured that Baldock were at least able to salvage some batting points from the days proceedings.

Andy Diplock contributed well with 30 runs, and Frank Taylor and Richie Waters both scored 20 in what was otherwise a disappointing day for Baldock.

Baldock played host to Crawley Green Nomads on Sunday and ran out losers by 65 runs.

Crawley batted first and got 189-9 off 40 overs with Y Jethwa making 73 and Andy Payne taking 3-44 for Baldock.

In reply Baldock could only muster 124 all out off 37.2 overs in what was a disappointing batting display.

Logan Newman top scored with an entertaining knock of 26 as no one else could get going on what was a slow paced wicket.